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Thursday, 18 Oct 2012

Written Answers Nos. 68 - 79

Cycling Facilities

Questions (69)

Charlie McConalogue

Question:

69. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport his plans to improve the urban cycling experience in cities and urban areas throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45188/12]

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Written answers

The Government set out its commitment to invest in the National Cycle Policy in the Programme for Government.  The greatest increase in cycling numbers will occur within urban areas as these trips are usually of a distance which lend themselves to cycling.  My Department has taken a two-pronged approach to include investment and promotion to improving cycling. My Department works with the National Transport Authority (NTA) which provides funds to local authorities in the Greater Dublin Area and regional cities, while my Department provides direct funding to the other towns.

In addition to NTA funding, this year my Department announced investment in sustainable transport of €65 million over the next 5 years, the majority of which will be invested in cities and towns around the country under the Smarter Travel Areas and Active Travel Towns programmes. Cycling infrastructure and the promotion of cycling are key elements of each of these programmes. Funding is also being made available for the development of the National Cycle Network, to improve urban, interurban and rural cycling facilities.

The NTA has published a comprehensive design manual for the provision of cycle routes which is available at www.cyclemanual.ie.  Dissemination of best practice and facilitation of appropriate cycle infrastructure design training are also key roles of the Smarter Travel Local Authority Network developed by my Department. My Department and the NTA are also committed to expanding the very successful Dublin Bikes scheme and to introduce similar schemes in regional cites.

Question No. 70 answered with Question No. 44.
Question No. 71 answered with Question No. 19.

Light Rail Project

Questions (72, 75, 85)

Mary Lou McDonald

Question:

72. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the progress that has been made on the LUAS BXD development [45133/12]

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Eoghan Murphy

Question:

75. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when he expects construction on LUAS BXD to commence; when he expects the project to be concluded; the measures he will take to ensure that the impact on traders is minimised to the greatest extent possible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44939/12]

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Olivia Mitchell

Question:

85. Deputy Olivia Mitchell asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport when work on the construction of the LUAS BXD project will commence and conclude; if he will outline the measures he has taken to ensure that disruption to businesses is kept to a minimum during the lifetime of the project; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45064/12]

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Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 72, 75 and 85 together.

Following the establishment of the National Transport Authority (NTA) on 1st December 2009, the provision of infrastructure projects in the Greater Dublin Area (GDA), such as LUAS BXD, now comes under the remit of the NTA. Luas BXD to Broombridge was designed to be a key element in an overall  integrated transport network for Dublin.  It will create a Luas network by joining  the Luas Red and Green Lines and will also link with rail services from Maynooth and Dunboyne and with existing Quality Bus schemes which enter or cross Dublin City Centre.  It will also, in time, interchange with future key projects such as Dart Underground and Metro North. The project has been prioritised under the Governments's 5-year capital plan - Infrastructure & Capital Investment Programme 2012-2016 - Medium Term Exchequer Framework - which was published in November 2011. Funding has been included in my Department's capital allocation to 2016 to cover the cost of commencing the main construction works in 2015 and for  pre-construction enabling works in 2013 and 2014.  Construction is expected to take 4 years.

An Bórd Pleanála gave approval to the project on 2nd August 2012 and, following the statutory 8-week appeal period, the railway order (RO) is now operational. I understand that the business case for the project is now being updated by the RPA having regard to conditions attached to the RO and other information updates. There has been extensive engagement between the Railway Procurement Agency (RPA) and both Dublin City Council (DCC) and Dublin Bus aimed at minimising the construction impacts of Luas BXD on all road users, including pedestrians, and on businesses in the city centre area.  The ongoing engagement between the relevant agencies on these important issues, which now also includes the NTA, will intensify both prior to and during the construction of the project.

Harbour Authorities Appointments

Questions (73)

John Halligan

Question:

73. Deputy John Halligan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will confirm the policy for filling vacant positions in semi state agencies; if Dun Laoghaire Harbour Company is subject to this policy; if he will confirm that the said harbour company has always recruited according to this policy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45205/12]

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Written answers

Section 37 of the Harbours Acts requires the commercial State port companies to employ a harbourmaster and such and so many employees as it considers to be necessary for the due performance of its functions. Therefore, the recruitment of staff is an operational matter for the individual companies and consequently, one in which I have no function. The only exception to this is the appointment of a chief executive officers which, under Section 35 of the Harbours Acts, is subject to my consent. The recruitment of such individuals remains a matter for the Company's board of directors.

Ferry Services Provision

Questions (74)

Pádraig MacLochlainn

Question:

74. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport the steps he is taking to ensure the continued operation of the Greencastle-Magilligan Ferry. [45135/12]

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Written answers

Neither my Department nor any of its agencies has any function in respect of, or finance for, the provision or subsidisation of ferry services on this or any other route. The Lough Foyle Ferry Company Ltd was initiated by Donegal County Council in conjunction with Limavady Borough Council in 2002 through the establishment of a commercial ferry service between Greencastle, Co. Donegal and Magilligan, Co. Derry. Donegal County Council under the remit of the Department of Environment Community and Local Government along with the UK authorities provides support for ferry services on Lough Foyle.  I believe my colleague, the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government has in the past raised this issue, through the North South Ministerial Council, with Mr. Danny Kennedy, MLA, Minister for Regional Development in Northern Ireland.

Question No. 75 answered with Question No. 72.
Question No. 76 answered with Question No. 8.
Question No. 77 answered with Question No. 7.

Swimming Pool Projects

Questions (78)

Catherine Murphy

Question:

78. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will provide an update on the current status of the local authority swimming pools project; if he will outline the total spend to date on the projects; the location of new pools; the status of the project in County Kildare including completed pools, pools under construction or redevelopment and planned pools; if any specific consideration has been given to a pool in the Leixlip area, County Kildare; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [45108/12]

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Written answers

Under the current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme, grant aid to a maximum of €3.8m is provided to Local Authorities, towards the capital cost of new swimming pools or the refurbishment of existing pools. Under the Guidelines there are four principal stages in a swimming pool project following the submission of a feasibility study.  These, in order of progress, are: Preliminary Report; Contract Documents; Tender and Construction.  Grant-aid is allocated only when tenders have been approved for the project and is capped at the time of allocation.

Under the current round of the programme 46 projects have been completed and opened to the public, and 12 other projects are at various other stages of development.  Total expenditure to date has amounted to over €157m million and this includes expenditure under the special initiative for energy upgrades/enhanced disabled access. The current round of the Local Authority Swimming Pool Programme was closed to new applicants on 31 July 2000 and no application was made in respect of a public swimming pool for Leixlip before that date.  No decision has been taken on the timing of a new round of the programme. If the programme re-opens it would be open to each Local Authority, including Kildare County Council on behalf of Leixlip, to submit an application under the terms that will apply. Information on progress to date under the Programme is outlined in the table below.

PROJECTS COMPLETED (46)

2000 (3)

1.      Arklow (Refurbish) – official opening January 2000

2.      Enniscorthy (New) – official opening January 2000

3.      Navan (New) – official opening August 2000

2001 (2)

4.   Courtown/Gorey (New) – opened October 2001

5.      Wicklow (New) – (Sept 99) official opening June 2001

2002 (2)

6.   Dundalk (New) – official opening March 2002

7.      Roscommon (Refurbish) – official opening April 2002

2003 (3)

8.   Ennis (New) – official opening September 2003

9.      AquaDome, Tralee (Refurbish) – opened 2003

10.  Ballinasloe (Replace) – official opening October 2003

2004 (4)

11. Finglas, Dublin (Replace) – opened April 04

12. Grove Island, Limerick (New) – opened June 04

13.  Sports and Leisure Centre, Tralee (Refurbish) – opened July 04

14.  Clonmel (Refurbish) – opened December 04

2005 (3)

15. Churchfield, Cork City (Refurbish) – official opening June 05

16.  Ballymun, Dublin City (Replace) – opened June 05

17.  Tuam, Co Galway (Replace) – opened Sept 05

2006 (6)

18. Drogheda, Co Louth (Replace) –opened May 2006

19.  Monaghan town (Replace) – opened 19 August 2006

20.  Cobh, Co Cork (Replace) – opened 30 August 2006

21.  Youghal, Co Cork (New) – opened 18 September 2006

22.  Jobstown, South County Dublin (New) – opened 13 November 2006

23.  Monaghan (Refurbish) – re-entered programme for replacement

2007(8)

24.  Ballybunion, Co Kerry (New) – June 2007

25.  Birr, Co. Offaly (Refurbish) – opened 7 July 2007

26.  Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (Replace) – opened 9 July 2007

27.  Askeaton, Co. Limerick (Replace outdoor pool) – opened 4 August 2007

28.  Longford, Co.Longford (Replace) – opened 7 September 2007

29.  St. Joseph's School for Deaf Boys, Dublin (Refurbish) – opened November 2007

30.  Portarlington, Co. Laois (Refurbish) – opened 1 December 2007

31.  Portlaoise, Co. Laois (Replace) – opened 18 December 2007

2008(9)

32.  Clondalkin, South County Dublin (Replace) – opened 7 January 2008

33.  Thurles, Co Tipperary (Replace) – opened 7 April 2008

34.  St Michael's House, Dublin (New) –opened 21 April 08

35.  Killarney, Co. Kerry (New) - opened 16 July 2008

36.  Bray, Co. Wicklow (Replace) – opened 6 Sept 2008

37.  Ballyfermot Dublin City (Replace) – opened 6 October 2008

38.  Greystones, Co. Wicklow (New) – opened 12 October 2008

39.  Tullamore, Co. Offaly  (Replace outdoor pool) – opened 31 October 2008

40.  Kilkenny City (Replace) – opened 15 December 2008

2009 (5)

         41.Athy, Co. Kildare (Replacement) – opened 2 March 2009

         42.Naas, Co. Kildare (Replacement) – opened 2 March 2009.

         43.Dundrum, Co. Dublin (Replace) –official opening 7 May 2009

         44.Claremorris, Co. Mayo (Replacement) – opened 1 September 2009

   45.Roscrea, Tipperary, NR (New) –opened 14 September 2009

2011(1)

1.      Ferrybank, Co. Wexford (Refurbish)

UNDER CONSTRUCTION OR ABOUT TO START CONSTRUCTION (3)  

1.      Ballybofey, Co. Donegal (New)

2.      New Ross, Co. Wexford  (Replace)

3.      Loughlinstown, Co. Dublin (Refurbish)

OTHER STAGES  

1.      De Paul Pool Navan Road( Refurbish)

2.      Balbriggan, Fingal (New) 

3.      Buncrana, Co. Donegal (Refurbish)

4.      Castlebar, Co. Mayo (Replace)

5.      Dunmanway, Co. Cork (Replacement)

6.      Edenderry, Co. Offaly (Replace)

7.      Clara, Co. Offaly (Refurbish)

8.      Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon (New)

9.      Loughrea, Co. Galway (New)

Question No. 79 answered with Question No. 8.
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